Spices have been a major factor in the fuelling of exploration, have been considered holy and – most importantly – enlivened our food for thousands of years. Here is a guide to some of the most popular spices in the world today.
Black Pepper
Black pepper is widely believed to be the most popular spice in the world. Derived from the dried berries of the pepper plant, black peppercorns are native to Malabar in Southern India. As with many of the spices on this list, the spread of black pepper around the world occurred thousands of years ago and eventually helped to fuel the (arguably destructive) age of exploration during the renaissance. Black pepper was once considered to be an extremely valuable commodity. When Rome was invaded and the capital city was captured in 410 AD, 3000 pounds of pepper were demanded as a ransom.
Black pepper has a complex, sharp taste that greatly compliments food of all kinds. In medieval Europe, the Italian city states effectively controlled the flow of black pepper. This influenced Italian cooking massively.
Sichuan Pepper
Sichuan pepper, also known as Szechuan pepper, is a unique spice commonly used in Sichuan cuisine. Unlike other peppers, it doesn’t have heat or spiciness, but rather it gives a numbing and tingling sensation in the mouth. This is due to the presence of hydroxy-alpha-sanshool, a chemical compound naturally found in the pepper.
Sichuan pepper adds a distinct flavor and complexity to dishes. It is a key ingredient in famous Sichuan dishes like mapo tofu and kung pao chicken. The numbing sensation it provides also helps to balance out the heat from chili peppers in these dishes. It is thought that Sichuan pepper has been used in Chinese cooking for around two thousand years.
Cumin
Cumin, which is available in ground form from Olam Spices, is extremely popular in Persian, Mexican, Egyptian, and Indian culinary traditions. It pairs well with other spices such as coriander, turmeric, and chili powder, and it’s commonly used in spice blends such as garam masala and curry powder.
Chilies
Spices derived from chilies are immensely popular all around the world. Chili peppers have a rich history that dates back thousands of years. They are believed to have originated in the Americas and were domesticated by indigenous peoples. The use of chili peppers spread throughout the world through trade and exploration, becoming a staple ingredient in many cuisines.
The significance of chili peppers lies not only in their culinary use but also in their medicinal properties. They are high in vitamins A and C, and the compound capsaicin in chili peppers has been found to have pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects.
Chili peppers also played a significant role in cultural and religious practices, including in Aztec and Mayan rituals, as well as in Hinduism and Buddhism.
The cultivation of chilies with special properties has become widespread. Some chili breeds – such as the Carolina Reaper – have very little culinary value but have been bred in order to be as hot as possible.